Gibernau Looking For First MotoGP Win At Estoril

Gibernau Looking For First MotoGP Win At Estoril

© 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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From a press release issued by Telefonica Movistar Honda/Gresini Racing:

MOTO GP BIDS FAREWELL TO EUROPE

This weekend in Estoril the motoGp is preparing to salute Europe. In fact the GP of Portugal closes the long series of European Grand Prix disputed on the continent (nine to be exact). Sunday night the Moto Gp circus will start to prepare for the long extra European transfers – Japan, Qatar, Malaysia and Australia – before the Grand Finale in Valencia, Spain on the 31st of October.

Of the slower circuits, Estoril is very unusal: 70% of its corners are slow – the uphill chicane is probably the slowest corner of the entire championship- the straightaway is quick (almost a kilometer long), followed by a strong braking into the first bend, the last corner however, a quite quick one, is decisive to gain precious thousandths of a second.

In such a slow track it is of utmost importance to recuperate in the quicker segments like the last corner and the right corner which brings to the straight opposite the pits.

This circuit is famous for its unevenness and potholes which definitely hinder the chattering problem. The closeness of the track to the Atlantic Ocean is also cause for frequent climatic changes and heavy rain. The sand which is often carried by the wind is also cause for the Fernanda Pires da Silva track to be dirty most of the time.

A difficult compromise: even though slow, this Portuguese track is not easy for riders and techs who have to find the correct compromise for the contrasting characteristics of the circuit. A difficult track to interpret as the search for a good balance between front and back, a good stability while braking and agility during direction changes is essential.

The grip on the track is compromised because of the sand brought by the wind. This alters the adhesion of the tyres and makes the entire situation quite unpredictable. The Michelin technicians will be very busy trying to choose the best compound to guarantee the most grip possible.


#15 SETE GIBERNAU – STRONGER THAN EVER

After the well deserved summer break the Championship has found Sete much more of a fighter. Practically perfect, concentrated, lucid, the Spaniard of the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda gave a huge show of strength in Brno where he lead the race for 22 interminable laps, fighting off the attacks of Valentino Rossi. The first step of the podium reduced the gap to 17 points between Sete and Valentino but the Championship is still long and hard.

Sete Gibernau arrives in Estoril even stronger, mentally and physically.

During the two test days on the Czech track following the Grand Prix, Sete tested new Honda material. The results were positive but the final decision regarding what bike will be used in this Grand Prix will be made in Estoril.

“Estoril is a circuit I do not particularly love as I always disputed good qualifications and races but I never brought home the end result I wanted. During the last three years in fact I have been in a position to take a podium finish and, in particular last year, to win the race but I have never been able to obtain my goal. This year I am concentrated and ready to give my best at very track, It isn’t important if I like it or not. As I said at the beginning of the year, my main goal is to better myself with each race, this is the reason I am arriving to Estoril strong and full of hope thanks to the experience I have acquired as a rider and from the entire team.”


#45 COLIN EDWARDS – HUNGRY FOR ANOTHER WIN

Two days of testing after the Czech GP helped the Texan of the Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda to analyse and try to solve the problems encountered during the GP of Brno. His biggest problem remains the chattering, which impedes him to excel and fight up front.

Colin is in fact the only Honda rider with Michelin tyres to still have the old chassis, the same from the beginning of the year. The two test days were important to better understand the bike and Colin has high hopes for the GP of Portugal.

“I’m ready for Estoril, I like the track, especially the first three corners! Bike setting is really important here, you have a few bumps. Estoril can be aggressive but not too much because it will bite you. There are very slow sections such as the chicane going uphill, which needs to be taken in first gear. Here the riding must be very soft. The track is quite slow but there are some good points to overtake, the best ones are the long straight in front of the pits where you can draft or the left corner at the end of the straight opposite the pits.


Fausto Gresini, Team Manager

“Sete Gibernaus’s victory in Brno was a great result for the entire team. Again the Spaniard demonstrated to be strong, concentrated and extremely determined. For all of us it was extremely important to obtain a good result in Brno and Sete gave us a wonderful victory. The gap with Valentino is reduced to 17 points, the Championship is still open. In Brno we even had the chance to try new material which Honda brought us and we are ready for the challenge in Estoril.

We expect to see Colin Edwards up front fighting for the podium. We all know his potential and he demonstrated it in Donington when he rised to the occasion and conquered the second step on the podium together with his team mate Sete Gibernau who finished third.”

The Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda continues to lead the Team championship while Gibernau has re conquered the second position in the Riders Championship, only 17 points behind the leader Valentino Rossi. Colin Edwards is now in fourth place of the Championship.

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